The Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA)

suspended all hazard mitigation

grant awards to the State of

Indiana on February 25,

impacting 21 counties across the

state.

The suspension is due to

unresolved compliance issues

with Kokomo's baseball stadium

project, which includes up to

eight parcels that were

purchased as part of FEMA’s

hazard mitigation grant program.

Guidelines require that

properties in the program remain

open space, or that projects

obtain FEMA approval prior to

construction.

More than $6.1 million in

mitigation grant funds are affected. The awards

were funding property acquisition projects, safe rooms, multi-

hazard mitigation plan updates and a bridge project to mitigate

flooding issues.

As long as FEMA's decision stands, and

Kokomo's stadium compliance issues linger,

Indiana will not be eligible for future hazard

mitigation funding, which could result in

millions of additional lost grant funding to

Indiana cities and counties. The Indiana

Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is

currently managing approximately $50 million

in hazard mitigation funded projects. Because

these funds are already committed, they are not

affected by the suspension.

The suspension may also extend to future

disaster funds and the National Flood Insurance

Program as related to the Kokomo project. The

rest of the state is still eligible for future disaster

grants and the National Flood Insurance

Program.

FEMA determined in late 2014 that the Kokomo

baseball stadium was not in compliance. As the

grantee, IDHS has been working with the City of Kokomo to

resolve compliance issues.

IDHS previously issued a letter on November 24, 2014, noting

the violations and providing a timeline of 60 days for the city to

resolve the issues. FEMA's February 25, 2015 letter noted that

the violations still exist.

The above map shows counties The above map shows counties The above map shows counties The above map shows counties currently affected by the FEMA currently affected by the FEMA currently affected by the FEMA currently affected by the FEMA decision. Those counties have decision. Those counties have decision. Those counties have decision. Those counties have funding that is currently on hold.funding that is currently on hold.funding that is currently on hold.funding that is currently on hold.

Severe Weather

Week is March 15 through 21.

The

Hoosier Responder March 2015March 2015March 2015March 2015 Volume X, Issue IIIVolume X, Issue IIIVolume X, Issue IIIVolume X, Issue III

Over the last five weeks, Indiana was hit

with a multitude of winter weather, with

all corners of the state experiencing

snow and frigid temperatures, sleet,

localized flooding and more. Weather

conditions contributed to frequent

collisions and slide-offs, with all major

highways subject to closures and many

state and county roads following suit.

Numerous hours were logged by public

safety officials attempting to stay ahead

of the snow and ice, and several times in

northern Indiana snow plows were

ordered off the roads due to treacherous

conditions. Indiana Department of

Transportation (INDOT) trucks travelled

more than 5 million miles, deploying

254,000 tons of salt, 4.8 million gallons

of salt brine and logged more than

276,000 staff hours during winter

operations. The Indiana State Police

(ISP) responded to thousands of

weather-related calls, peaking between

February 28 and March 1, with 643 calls

coming in.

Even with the challenges, cities and

counties rose to the occasion. Resources

were mustered, information was

gathered, and while the State Emergency

Operations Center increased staffing

from Feb. 18 through Feb. 20 in the

event assistance was needed, none was

requested.

(Continued on page 3)

FEMA Suspends Mitigation Funds 2

Delaware County

acquires new ambulance ATV

5

Indianapo-lis Smoke

Alarm pro-gram saves a life

4

State, Counties Power Through Last of Winter

Cites Lack of Compliance of Kokomo Stadium

Johnson County

opens new Emergency Operations Center

3

The Hoosier Responder 2 Severe Preparedness Week is Annual Reminder Severe Weather Preparedness Week is

March 15-21 and serves as an annual

reminder that planning and preparedness

help minimize the number of weather-

related deaths and injuries.

Local, state and national organizations

use this week to encourage citizens to

prepare before a severe weather event

such as tornadoes, thunderstorms and

flooding. While severe weather can strike

anytime, volatile weather frequently

accompanies the arrival of spring.

History bears out that Indiana can be in

the path of damaging and life-threatening

storms. In 2012, from February 29

through March 3, southern Indiana was

devastated by hail, storms, straight line

winds and powerful tornadoes that caused

loss of life and resulted in a federal

disaster declaration. The year before that

brought a record 72 tornadoes to Indiana,

including 32 on April 19, 2011, and 26

on May 25, 2011.

As part of Severe Weather Preparedness

Week, there will be tests of the

Emergency Alert System on commercial

radio, television networks and all-hazards

radios. Often, the most damaging

tornadoes occur at night, making it even

more vital Hoosiers have the ability to

receive warnings 24 hours a day.

Families, schools and businesses are

encouraged to practice their weather

safety action plans.

Knowing what to do in an emergency is

important. So is having the right items in

a disaster kit. Families are encouraged to

have the following things at the ready at

all times:

• Food and water for three days, including one gallon of water per person per day

• Battery-operated all-hazards radio and extra batteries

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First aid kit

• List of emergency phone numbers

• Important documents like photo ID, Social Security card, insurance and banking information

• Cash (power outages can limit ability to use ATMs and credit cards)

• Special items for babies or medications for any family members

Indiana residents who live in mobile

homes or manufactured structures should

also have a plan to quickly find suitable

shelter. People living in homes or

apartment buildings should take shelter in

the lowest level of the building, away

from windows and doors.

To find out more about preparing for

severe weather, visit GetPrepared.IN.gov.

Everyone has heard “dos and don’ts”

about severe weather. For Severe

Weather Preparedness Week 2015, the

Indiana Department of Homeland

Security is debunking a few myths that

some swear by.

Myth #1: Any Building is Safe During

a Tornado

Manufactured buildings often can’t stand

up to the wind speed and pressure, and

are not safe shelters during a tornado.

Hoosiers living in mobile homes or

similar structures should talk to friends,

family or neighbors to find a safe shelter

in advance.

Permanent structures are best for shelter

during a tornado, especially if they have a

basement. Interior, lower level rooms

away from doors and windows can be an

adequate backup plan.

Myth #2: Seek Shelter in an Underpass

During Tornadoes

When traveling during a tornado, an

underpass is one of the worst places to

take shelter. Wind speeds can increase

while flowing under the structure, and

serious injuries can occur. Seek shelter in

a permanent structure (even better if it

has a basement), or find a low-laying area

and lay down flat on the ground.

Myth #3: Open Windows Prior to

Tornado Strike to Equalize Pressure

Inside the House to Prevent it from

Exploding

Opening windows does not help equalize

pressure, and spending the time cracking

those windows can use up valuable

seconds needed to take shelter. When an

alert sounds on television, phones or all

hazard radios, seek shelter right away.

We said three, but really, there’s one

more…

Myth #4: You Can’t Prepare for

Disasters

We all know that steps taken now can

make a big difference during an

emergency. Making a plan, building an

emergency kit and learning about

possible disasters in your area can help

keep you and your family safe. Visit the

Indiana Department of Homeland

Security site GetPrepared.IN.gov for

more information and resources for

severe weather and floods.

3 Severe Weather Myths that will Blow You Away

The Hoosier Responder 3

“Indiana’s counties have many years of

training and experience, and are very

capable of handling these types of

weather events,” said Arvin Copeland,

Director of the Indiana Department of

Homeland Security (IDHS) Emergency

Response and Recovery Division.

“Local first responders and public works

staff dealt with the challenges in their

counties very well, without need of

assistance or resources from the state.”

In the meantime, INDOT, ISP and IDHS

worked to provide safety information to

Hoosiers.

“Preparedness is vital in weather events,

and the ability to work closely with

INDOT and ISP helped provide clear,

consistent information to Hoosiers,” said

John Erickson, Director of Public

Information with IDHS. “By sharing

information we are able to leverage our

resources, reach the broadest number of

residents and help protect lives.”

(Continued from page 1)

Agencies Power Through Winter (cont.)

Johnson County Opens New Operations Center February 6, 2015, the Johnson County Emergency Management Agency cut the ribbon at its new emergency operations center. The facility, which can withstand an F4

tornado, will also serve as the 9-1-1

dispatch center. With space for 16

emergency support functions, as well as a

conference room for elected officials to

utilize during emergency activations, the

new building will serve as a dedicated

hub for the county.

The new structure, in process for several years, additionally allowed the county to finish consolidation of its 9-1-1 dispatch services. The dispatch wing, usually staffed by six dispatchers, has the capa-bility to house 12 dispatchers during an emergency.

Madison County Forms PIO Team

The Madison County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency has organized a public information team to handle media during large emergencies. “We set up a Public Information ESF-15 group in November in response to the Ebola concern,” said Todd Harmeson, Public Information Officer with Madison County Emergency Management. Harmeson said he began reaching out to partners in the community to identify

participants in a Joint Information System in the event of a suspected Ebola case in Madison County. Since then, Harmeson said full time as well as volunteer public information officers from several local and state agencies have been attending monthly meetings. During the recent winter storms and cold temperatures, the team shared

information before putting out coordinated winter weather information to the public. “The cooperation countywide and support from our partners is making this a successful program,” said Harmeson.

He said training and sharing of information are keys for any other county considering the creation of a similar team.

Team formed to strengthen communications

The Hoosier Responder 4

Early in the morning on February 12, a

smoke alarm rang out, waking a 73-

year-old Indianapolis woman. A fire

had started in a back bedroom while

she slept on the couch. The alarm

provided her the precious seconds

needed to move into her wheelchair and

escape the building.

The smoke alarm responsible for

waking her had been provided and

installed through the Indianapolis Fire

Department (IFD) Fire Prevention

Month blitz in October. IFD worked

with the American Red Cross and State

Farm Insurance to provide and install

smoke alarms for senior citizens,

doubling their chance of surviving a

residence fire.

“There are so many times when

firefighters respond to a home without

properly installed smoke alarms, or

worse yet, no smoke alarms,” said Jim

Greeson, Indiana State Fire Marshal.

“There are often injuries that could be

prevented and lives that could be saved

if everyone would remember one

simple fact. Smoke alarms save lives.”

Many fire departments around the State

of Indiana have recently participated in

similar blitzes, handing out smoke

alarms in a variety of ways.

“These efforts translate into major

benefits for citizens,” said Greeson.

“And that’s significant, especially for a

a state that saw 102 fire fatalities in

2014, and already 20 in 2015, the IFD

can be proud that at least one resident

has been saved from serious injury.”

Indianapolis Smoke Alarm Program Saves Life

Speedway Fire Department Gets New Tool

Drug overdoses are on the rise in communities across Indiana. In order to save lives, many emergency medical providers, law enforcement agencies and fire departments are using Naloxone to save lives. Nalaxone, also known as Narcan, is used to counter the effects of an opioid overdose, commonly caused by prescription painkillers, morphine and heroin. Before the start of 2015, the Speedway Fire Department (SFD) partnered with Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services to receive training. All SFD firefighters spent the last three days of 2014 learning how to properly

administer the drug. The training involved learning when and how much of the drug to use when administering it to someone suffering from a drug overdose. SFD Battalion Chief Michael Cheney says every rescue box in the department is now equipped with Narcan and the training has already helped save an unresponsive patient. Cheney said agencies thinking about the training should not hesitate. “You never know when the person you save might see that near death experience as the call to change,” said Cheney. “Without Narcan, and without trained and knowledgeable personnel on scene, they will never have that chance.”

Fire Engineer Mike Boe (left) and Firefighter Fire Engineer Mike Boe (left) and Firefighter Fire Engineer Mike Boe (left) and Firefighter Fire Engineer Mike Boe (left) and Firefighter Eric Emerson (right) show the Narcan Eric Emerson (right) show the Narcan Eric Emerson (right) show the Narcan Eric Emerson (right) show the Narcan equipment along with their medical kit.equipment along with their medical kit.equipment along with their medical kit.equipment along with their medical kit.

Both are with the Speedway Fire Department.Both are with the Speedway Fire Department.Both are with the Speedway Fire Department.Both are with the Speedway Fire Department.

An upcoming training in District 10 will allow first responders and community officials the opportunity to test their earthquake preparedness. The New Madrid and Wabash Valley seismic zones are potential threats to

Indiana, especially in the southwest part of the state. The New Madrid Fault has produced eight earthquakes in or near Indiana since 2000 according to the United States Geological Survey.

The exercise, which will take place on Friday, March 27, will include search and rescue operations, as well as district emergency operations center and joint information center activation.

District 10 Earthquake Exercise March 27

Firefighters trained to use Narcan to fight overdoses

The Hoosier Responder 5

Thanks to a grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation (BBF), Delaware County Emergency Management has a new all-terrain ambulance.

The vehicle is Delaware County’s newest advanced life support unit and is now delivered and ready for action. The ATV is an off-road ambulance that has a fully enclosed, all-aluminum patient compartment that holds a full-sized cot and seating for up to two attendants and a driver. It is built to easily be taken off-road and is smaller and more maneuverable, making it excellent for responding to incidents in crowded areas, remote areas and more.

“Several years ago, Ball Brothers Foundation began a new ‘Emergency Management’ initiative,” said Jenna Wachtmann, Foundation Program Officer. “Through this initiative, BBF provides funding to support critical needs of selected public agencies responsible for the physical welfare of citizens.

Recognizing that public agencies face tight budgets, BBF provides limited funding for efforts that provide a ‘margin of excellence’ for law enforcement agencies, first responders and others.”

Ball Brothers Foundation’s board of directors approved a grant for $65,000 to support the purchase of an ATV ambulance for Delaware County in October 2014. Jason Rogers, Executive Director EM/EMS, had first approached BBF with the idea for the ATV ambulance in summer 2014. He had previously received a number of grants from BBF, which had been successful in helping to strengthen the outstanding organization that Rogers leads, said Wachtmann.

In his case for support, Rogers emphasized the need for a small, maneuverable, and versatile life support vehicle that could just as easily be navigated through large crowds at events in downtown Muncie or Ball State

football games as it could in making life-saving runs on the Cardinal Greenway or on trails at Prairie Creek Reservoir. As one of very few such units in Indiana, the medical ATV sets Muncie-Delaware County apart. The addition of this unit allows other ambulances to stay on-duty and certainly piques public interest, making it a great centerpiece for public education efforts.

Delaware County Acquires Ambulance ATV

State, Local NCAA Cooperation Scores Big The beginning of April brings four days of festivities as the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) Final Four tournament rolls into Indianapolis. Basketball won’t be the only highlight, with concerts, vendors and events planned in White River State Park to entertain attendees.

Building on services provided during the 2012 Super Bowl, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) Fire and Building Safety

Division, Indianapolis Code Enforcement (ICE) and the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) are again working together for applications and inspections for buildings, tents, stages and other temporary structures needed during the event.

The cooperative effort will allow vendors and event participants to fill out one form for all the involved agencies and work with each office to verify that they are in compliance with all state and local

regulations. “All three agencies will perform inspections together,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson, who oversees the IDHS Fire and Building Safety Division. “This allows all customers to receive the same information and allows the agencies to provide the highest level of public safety.”

The Final Four will be held in Indianapolis from April 3-6, 2015.

The new EMS vehicle was purchased with a

grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation.

The foundation supports culture, education,

healing and projects benefiting the public.

Funds provided by the Ball Brothers Foundation

A Vincennes man was arrested March 3 following an investigation among the Vincennes Fire Department (VFD), Knox County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). Dustin Taylor, 32, was arrested for arson, a level 4 felony.

On Saturday, Feb. 28, VFD responded to a two-story duplex apartment fire at 2008 Raymond Drive. When firefighters arrived to the reported fire, smoke and flames were visible. The occupant was able to evacuate the apartment. Firefighters used forced entry into the structure and were able to extinguish the fire.

An IDHS fire investigator aided VFD as it investigated the fire. Follow-up interviews supported the determination of probable cause, leading to Taylor’s arrest. State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson oversees the Fire and Building Safety Division of IDHS.

Local, State Cooperation Leads to Fire Arrest

Agencies Support Indiana’s Safety at NCAA Final Four, Beyond

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has teamed up with students from IUPUI’s School of Liberal Arts, Department of Journalism and Public Relations, to form an agency/university partnership model that is now being presented on a national level. IDHS Director of Public Information John Erickson and IUPUI Public Relations Lecturer Julie A. Vincent were session speakers February 25 at the National Tornado Summit in Oklahoma City, OK. Their session, titled “An Agency/University Partnership – could it work for you?” detailed the collaboration that benefits both IDHS and students. “We first included IUPUI public relations students and Julie in February 2012 to monitor various social media sites 10 days before, during and 10 days after Super Bowl XLVI,” said Erickson. “We then used students again in the spring of 2012 to help us after southern Indiana experienced a day of deadly tornado activity. From then on, we have included students in various exercises, in internships and now even in full-time employment after graduation.”

Vincent says this collaboration is really a win-win arrangement. It gives IDHS extra sets of hands in times of emergency or large exercises. It gives her students experiences not routinely offered to this age group and provides them with impressive resume and portfolio content. She said her students, through their exposure to IDHS, have broadened their network of people, their view of the world and their skill sets. “Several IDHS employees regularly serve as guest lecturers in our Public Relations Issues and Crisis Management course,”

said Vincent. “And our students regularly take part in events like last July’s Vibrant Response, the largest week-long exercise ever held in North America. It was just great for IDHS and the other exercise agencies and a once-in–a-lifetime opportunity for our students.” Erickson and Vincent are now in the process of training students to be members of the inaugural voluntary IUPUI Social Media Strike Team. This team includes students each semester who are trained and receive limited credentials to be on call should a real emergency occur and/or the Joint Information or Emergency Operations Center be activated. With the IUPUI campus within walking distance of the IDHS offices, students can provide the agency quick response should they be needed. During their talk at the National Tornado Summit, Erickson and Vincent encouraged other agencies and states to reach out to nearby colleges and universities that have journalism or public relations programs to see if a similar partnership could work for them.

IUPUI, IDHS Share Partnership Model

The Hoosier Responder 6

Julie Vincent (right) is interviewed by Lacey Julie Vincent (right) is interviewed by Lacey Julie Vincent (right) is interviewed by Lacey Julie Vincent (right) is interviewed by Lacey Lett, a reporter for News Chanel 4 in Lett, a reporter for News Chanel 4 in Lett, a reporter for News Chanel 4 in Lett, a reporter for News Chanel 4 in Oklahoma City.Oklahoma City.Oklahoma City.Oklahoma City.

Partnership presented at National Tornado Summit

Federal, state and local agencies met on March 5 to support the NCAA Final Four on the weekend of April 3, but also to assist in ongoing radiological and nuclear detection collaboration. “For obvious reasons, we can’t discuss a lot of detail, however, there are short- and long-term goals,” said Laura Dresen, Indiana Department of Homeland Security Radiation Program Director. “Indiana is home to many large events, and we’re always looking at ways to

work together to optimize safety and coordination at these events, but also in an ongoing way for overall state security.” Participants included experts in radiological and nuclear detection, intelligence, investigation, response and recovery, and responders who would be involved if a situation arises. The goal is to develop capabilities to enable participating agencies to protect Indiana’s residents, economy, critical infrastructure

and natural resources against threats posed by unauthorized use of nuclear or other radiological materials. Participating agencies included homeland security, emergency medical, firefighters, hazardous materials professionals, public health, healthcare, law enforcement, military, emergency management, port security, higher education, natural resources and others from the public safety community.

The Hoosier Responder 7

The winners of the #HackINvTX Challenge were revealed March 2 at The Speak Easy in Indianapolis as the first event of the Hack Indiana Series comes to an end. The series, sponsored by Techpoint and the Indy Chamber, named Red Alert as the winner of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) challenge, and the combined teams of Agency360 and RebornCode as the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) challenge winners. "Innovation and the desire to serve the public are both traits that Hoosiers share and they are definitely on display during this event," said State of Indiana Chief Information Officer Paul Baltzell. "We received many tremendous entries to solve problems that the State is encountering serving its citizens. The two winning solutions definitely offer a way for state government to deliver services in ways that better meet public needs."

Red Alert Indiana took first place in the challenge from IDHS, creating a dynamic form that serves as a means to direct those affected by emergencies or natural disasters to the proper agencies or non-profits to receive assistance. The application guides users through a checklist of potential services that can be administered at one-stop-shop locations, and also streamlines the process for the providers by storing contact information in a database for quick reference. Two teams joined forces to win the IDEM Challenge: Agency360 and RebornCode. The IDEM challenge called for a centralized, streamlined and secure platform to eliminate its paper-based permitting process. The winners created a system in which administrators can create preset tasks that can be assigned to complete in order to move the permit application through the process. The system also has the ability to create templates based on the permit type. The two winning teams will face off against two winners from Texas to

determine the #HackINvTX overall winner. This competition is the first of its kind to pit two states against one another for overall civic good through the hacking and developer community. A national judging panel will convene to determine the overall winner to be announced later in March. More information on the series can be found at techpoint.org/Indiana-Hack-Series. The Hack Indiana Series, sponsored by Techpoint and the Indy Chamber, is an extended hackathon designed to invigorate an entrepreneurial culture and equip participants with marketable skills while encouraging relationship formation and camaraderie across states. The Challenge will engage students and professionals already actively contributing to the Indiana tech space and will potentially lead to seeding new ventures and job-creators.

#HackINvTX Competition Announces Winners

The Indiana National Guard (INNG) received approval for a Cyber Protection Team (CPT) to be added to the Fiscal Year-16 force structure. Indiana is one of three states to receive this new force structure. Georgia and California will also each receive a CPT. Indiana will join with Michigan and Ohio to collectively resource and maximize utilization and capabilities of this new team. The CPT will be trained on information technology and cyber-specific skills. If mobilized, the CPT will provide surge support to the Army Cyber Command and support defensive cyberspace

operations as assigned. When deployed in support of state active duty, the CPT will be used to provide support to law enforcement, homeland defense and support to civilian authorities. The Indiana Army National Guard is uniquely postured to support the CPT mission based on skill-sets and experiences already present in Indiana, according to a release from INNG. INNG has strong partnerships with the cyber community in the fields of research, security and law enforcement. Key academic resources in Indiana include Purdue University's Cyber Center and Indiana University's Center for Applied Cyber Security Research, which is a

leader in the Army Cyber-Security Collaborative Research Alliance. Indiana's fully accredited 10,000 square foot Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility and the Muscatatuck/Atterbury cyber range made Indiana a strong competitor in this new force structure decision according to INNG. The Indiana cyber range is a premier training facility for both public and private cyber endeavors and will host the 2015 Cyber Shield national-level training exercise.

Indiana National Guard Receives Cyber Team

Teams compete by using technology to improve state capabilities

One of three teams; others in Georgia and California

Indiana Department of Homeland Security 302 West Washington Street

Indiana Government Center South Room E208

Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 232-3980 or (800) 669-7362

The Hoosier Responder is a publication of The Indiana Department of Homeland Security. Please direct any questions or comments to the

IDHS Public Information Office at (317) 234-6713 or pio@dhs.in.gov.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security will

provide statewide leadership, exemplary customer

service, and subject matter expertise for the enhancement

of public and private partnerships and the assurance of

local, state and federal collaboration to continually

develop Indiana’s public safety capabilities for the well-

being and protection of our citizens, property and

economy.

Mission

Contact